In addition to fans watching the games in Russia, television broadcasts will reach massive audiences around the world.

Football's governing body, FIFA, said during the last World Cup in 2014 an estimated 3 billion people watched at least part of a game during the tournament, while 1 billion tuned in for the final match between Germany and Argentina.

The next World Cup will be held in Qatar in November-December 2022. The 2026 event will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.